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Scratch Building Space Probes
Rob Schorry (IPMS # 40350 - OVSMA # 2)
Cincinnati Scale Modelers IPMS/USA Chapter IV/26 Cincinnati, Ohio, [email protected]
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 2
Reasons for real space scratch building
• Building something different• Lack of available kit *• Challenge• The thrill of the hunt• Madness!
• Besides, how many Me-109s can you build? ☺
* RealSpace Models (Tallahassee, FL) offers kits of Pioneer 10/11, Voyager 1/2, Viking 1/2, and Magellan in 1/24 scale as well as Sputnik 1
and Explorer 1 in 1/12 scale
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 3
Real space modelers are a very small group
In this contest only 0.56% of the total were space probes.
Space probes are ALWAYS a small part!
You want unique, you got unique.
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 4
Space probes – not for the faint of heart
•Complicated
•Spindly
•Fragile
•Unusual
•Unique
•Headaches!COBE
Mariner IIMESSENGER
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 5
The thrill of the data hunt!• Long ago we had only
magazines, newspapers, & libraries but now we have…
• Internet and email!– Dimensions– Photos– Drawings– Technical papers– Yahoo Group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/space-modelers * Mariner IV
scan platform
* 2350+ members
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 6
Basic building techniques according to me!
• Found or bought objects• Vacuum forming• Heat forming• Wood• Built up• Finishing – foil and paint• Display
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 7
Found or bought objects• My Luna 9 model started as a 25
mm diameter fishing bobber• Plastruct (EMA) hemispheres• Doll eye “Wiggle eye”• Plastic bottles, aquarium filter
tubing or PVC pipe• Buttons, pens, toys, etc.
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 8
Vacuum forming•Styrene sheet heated with heat gun or oven
•Pulled over form
•Forms can be wood, clay, etc.
•Home made vacuum box works fine with vacuum cleaner
•Part scribed out
New Horizons high gain antenna
Wood box with perforated metal top & plastic pipe
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 9
Heat forming
• Wrap part around form• Dunk in boiling water
• Heat styrene (flame or heat gun) CAUTION!
• Pull over form• Trim to shape
Stardust HGA rib
New Horizons launch adapter
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 10
Modify or cut up
•Vac formed master part
•Sliced into fours
•Styrene strips added
Luna 9 “petals”
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 11
Wood – bracing and skinning
NEAR bus• Saw or carve
shape
• Make basic shape and “skin” with sheet plastic
Deep Impact solar array Whipple shields
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 12
Use paper patterns
•Use printed or home made patterns
•Paper models are a good start
•Glue pattern to styrene sheet using glue stick
•Score and snap
STARDUST bus
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 13
Cutting board• Plastic kitchen cutting board• Aluminum angle attached *
as a fixed straight edge• Use steel triangle or square
to keep cuts straight
* Countersink screws from underneath
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 14
Build up major parts from styrene•Cut pieces oversize
•Gage blocks hold parts while cement dries
•Reinforce inside corners
•Trim/sand off excess
Deep Impact bus
New Horizons bus
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 15
Custom fixtures• If making several
parts…
• Make dedicated jig
• Of wood or plastic
• Magnets on a steel cookie sheet
• Tape parts onto a board
Lunar Orbiter solar panel fixture
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 16
High Gain Antenna Tool
• Simple tool for drilling tripod legs for antenna
• Equilateral triangle sized for leg spacing
• Supported on antenna rim
• Pin drill holes at tip of triangle for antenna feed support
Tool for NEAR antenna shown
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 17
Multi – media assembly
Deep Impact telescope pallet
Styrene• Styrene, wood, and metal can be used
• Use epoxy or CA to join
Wood
19/32” (15.1 mm) brass tube
Wood
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 18
Turning wood parts
• Use a mini-lathe• Use a Dremel tool• Use a drill press• Drill on low speed• Small files very useful• Digital caliper (good/bad)• Seal, sand, paint
Stardust sample return capsule
Stardust star trackers
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 19
Finishing• Foil – aluminum foil,
Mylar, candy foil, confectioners foil*, antiquing foil, or survival blanket(* look for baking or candy supplies)
• Many colors available
• Paint – generally metallic or flats(enamel or acrylic, your choice)
Candy foil over tulle
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 20
Finishing• Decals – artwork
for solar cells or insignia
• PC Paint, Photoshop, CAD
• Print on decal film or inkjet photo paper
• Apply with spray photo adhesive
• Display base –simple wood plaque
• Water Putty, spackle or plaster over foam
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 21
Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous (NEAR) 1/36
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 22
Luna 9 1/24
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 23
New Horizons 1/48
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 24
Pioneer 6 1/36
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 25
Deep Impact 1/24
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 26
Lunar Orbiter 1/24
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 27
Stardust 1/24
IPMS/USA National Convention 2008 28
Stardust 1/24
Thank you for your attention! Now what to build next?
No cookies were harmed in the making of these models.